AGL 2024 - ToolBox Talks - The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974

The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974

Overview This talk will cover: legal responsibilities and penalties under the Act.

Scope to the Health and Safety at Work Act

1 Everyone in the construction industry has legal duties under the Act.
2 Everyone in the construction industry is protected by the Act.
3 The Act allows Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspectors to visit sites and take enforcement action if work areas and activities are not safe.


General provisions of the Act

1 Under the Act, your employer has a legal duty to provide:
• safe plant and equipment, and safe methods of work.
• safe use of work articles and substances.
• information, instruction, training and supervision.
• a safe of work with safe access and egress.
2 Under the Act, you as an employee have legal duties to:
• safeguard your own safety and health and that of others who may be affected by your actions.
• co-operate with the employer to help them comply with their legal duties.
• not interfere with anything provided for health and safety.


Penalties

1 Breaches of the Act are criminal offences which may be punished by fines, prison or both.
2 Individuals, as well as companies, can be charged for breaches of the Act.


Enforcement

1 The powers of HSE inspectors include:
• entering places of work (including construction sites) at any time and without notice – if necessary, with the help of the police.
• carrying out investigations and prosecuting their own cases in court.
• insisting that the scene of an accident remains undisturbed.
• issuing Improvement and Prohibition Notices.
• taking statements and removing records and documents.

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